More than 260,000 veterans and their families reside in Southwestern Pennsylvania, including 8,000 children. That's one of the largest concentrations of veterans in the United States. These soldiers, in addition to those currently serving, are a significant part of our community and our Pirates fan base. We believe in what they have done and are doing for our country, and consider it our responsibility to provide whatever services we can to help them here at home.

Patty Salerno, Senior Vice President of Community & Public Affairs

MILITARY THURSDAYS

Each Thursday home game at PNC Park will once again be designated a Military Thursday in 2019.

Pirates players, coaches and Bucco Brigade staff will showcase their support by wearing specially designed camouflage uniforms to honor our service men and women, and Pirates Charities selected a different non-profit organization each game that serves veterans and members of our military.

The honoree non-profit is recognized on the field prior to the game, hosted in the Pirates Charities suite and will receive the proceeds of the day's 50/50 raffle to help continue their important work.

2019 honoree organizations include:

It's About the Warrior

Life Changing Service Dogs for Veterans

Heroes Supporting Heroes

Veterans Leadership Program

Helping Heroes, Inc.

Operation Troop Appreciation

Veterans Breakfast Club

Honor Flight Pittsburgh

Operation Homefront, Inc.

Veterans Place

Erie United Methodist Alliance, Liberty House

Pirates Charities is pleased to offer 501 (c)(3) nonprofit organizations serving active duty members of our military and veterans in the greater Pittsburgh region the opportunity to apply to participate in this program. The application period for 2019 is now closed. Please check back after the first of the year for the 2020 Military Thursday application.

MILITARY TICKET DISCOUNT

The Pirates honor and thank our military and their families with special pricing on game tickets. Discounted tickets can be purchased online with verification.

NATIONAL CHAIR OF HONOR

On May 18, 2017, the Pirates participated in the National Chair of Honor program to honor and recognize POW/MIA.

This chair will remain perpetually empty at PNC Park to help people remember that even though our soldiers are not here, there is always space for them.

SPRING TRAINING MILITARY APPRECIATION DAY

During Spring Training, the Pirates and Pirates Charities partnered with local organizations to host active-duty military members, veterans, and their guests for a day of appreciation at LECOM Park. All guests received the new Pirates military cap during a pregame barbeque picnic, before enjoying reserved seating at the Pirates vs. Braves game.

Partner organizations included the 927th Air Refueling Wing at MacDill Air Force Base, Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR), Manasota Operation Troop Support, and Veterans Tickets Foundation. ESGR received a Certificate of Appreciation during the pre-game group salute, while a member of the 927th Air Refueling Wing at MacDill Air Force Base threw the honorary first pitch.

PIRATES VIDEO

May 19, 2018

Senior Airman Justin Smith surprises his family on the field at PNC Park after returning home from 11 months in South Korea.